Chrome gets "Do Not Track," with a caveatGoogle's Chrome browser now comes fitted with a "Do Not Track" option -- but also carries a warning that the function might not work perfectly. The industry is still debating the extent to which "Do Not Track" should shield surfers from targeting and tracking, so Google can't promise complete protection, says Google engineer Ami Fischman. "The effectiveness of such requests is dependent on how websites and services respond," she explains. ZDNet
(11/7)

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Trendwatch

Facebook experiments with offering free Wi-Fi for a check-inFacebook is piloting a program that equips retailers with Wi-Fi routers and offers free Web access to shoppers who log in using their Facebook accounts. Checking in will broadcast their presence in the store on their Facebook feeds, giving retailers a way to reach out to shoppers' friends and family, though users have the option to hide such activity from their contacts by changing their audience settings. Los Angeles Times/Tech Now blog (tiered subscription model)
(11/7)

IAB is reportedly in talks with Digitas to manage NewFrontsDigitas is talking with the Interactive Advertising Bureau about the IAB taking over operational control of next spring's NewFronts event, after the conference ballooned into a major industry event too big for founding agency Digitas to handle alone, according to this article. Neither IAB nor Digitas has commented on these reports. By handing control to a third party, Digitas also hopes to encourage other digital agencies to participate fully, helping to position the NewFronts event as an equivalent to the TV industry's upfronts, this article notes. Adweek
(11/7)

Getting the Word Out

Coca-Cola goes social to help fans find their "Happy Places"Coca-Cola is planning a custom social network, called "Happy Places," that will let users upload and share photos of their happiest moments. Users will be able to share images directly on the network, or via Facebook or Twitter, and will be encouraged to subscribe to hashtags in order to receive updates on themed collections of other users' images. The network will be tied to the brand's recently launched "Happy Places" app. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily
(11/7)

Pizza chain uses mobile incentives to drive gift-card salesCalifornia Pizza Kitchen is offering $20 gift cards to people who use the chain's mobile website to order digital gift cards for their friends and family. The gift cards can also be redeemed by displaying a mobile device in-store. "Mobile gift cards will continue to grow as mobile becomes more embedded in consumers' every day life for shopping, and incentives are shown to be significant drivers for mobile engagements," notes Siteminis CEO Marci Troutman. MobileCommerceDaily.com
(11/8)

How Google goofed up its new search-page designGoogle's new search-page design in the U.S. has a lot going for it -- but the company's designers made some basic errors, writes Harrison Weber. Inconsistencies, redundancies and poorly used space all conspire to make the new design confusing for users. "The tech giant has enough resources and clout to hire the best designers around, and yet it has hit some elementary bumps," Weber writes. TheNextWeb.com
(11/8)

Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Waze woos SMBs with new local-advertising serviceNavigation application Waze is partnering with small businesses and big national brands to test a new self-serve platform for mobile ads. Waze Ads lets local companies target ads to users who are already en route to their location or who are actively searching for local businesses in their category. That makes the ads more effective and less obnoxious, explains Waze communications chief Michal Habdank-Kolaczkowski. TechCrunch
(11/7)